Help please

[3 Brits and a swissie]

summer 2013 I'm intending to drive with 3 mates from the UK to Mongolia then Beijing and Tianjin before shipping Oz or Vancouver (if I run out of time)

Im a novice at overlanding and everyone says this is where to go to ask about the trip so my questions are:

Which car? And who should prepare it?
Which route?
How difficult is it to get into and drive in China?
Can you ship from China to Vancouver?

Many thanks

[otr002]

Looks like you have a lot of reading to do this is a good place to start

[bnicho]

I'll say upfront I've never done a journey like that. My own motoring adventures have been confined to Australia. But I do hope to do a similar journey in the future.

My thoughts, for what they are worth, are:

- Car choice: If you are capable of working on your own car, take something that you are familiar with if possible or is relatively simple for a Mongolian mechanic to fix if not. Also consider parts availability. Parts for an older Landrover, Hilux or Land Cruiser are available in most places. If you must take something oddball (it does add to the fun IMHO) find out what commonly breaks and take those items as spares. Also ensure you have contacts to airfreight in parts if the worst happens.

- China leg: Very expensive! You need a compusory guide, temporary import chinese registration and temporary drivers licence. If you can find another car or two taking the same route you can share the same guide which will reduce cost.

I'm sure others will chime in with more advice.

Cheers,
Brett.

[DLbiten]

Well you will love your mates at the end or hate them.

The car people tell you to take will depend on who you ask. The Landy or the Toyota are the top 2 most people look at and end up taking. In the end it is up to you. I have no idea about who you want to set it up if it was me Id set it up. The people that set it up will not be coming with you and you need to know your car well.

Your route will change a few times before you go and more as you overland.

China can be a pain to get in to and driver or ride. I looked in to it a little but the price was around $10,000. There are ways to get around that but it is a bit of cash to drop gust to follow someone. Then there is the time some have taken a year or more to get the paperwork done to go there and take a trip. I like the idea of going around and flying in to see the the places. And for the savings you can get around in south America or SE Asia. (may be bit hard with a car in SE)

There are people that have shipped cars in and out of china so yes you can. How well I have not looked but a looking it up there are shippers that will do it.

If you plan on 2013 you best start now with the paper work for Russia and China. Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Embassy of the Russian Federation to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland


Going to Mongolia then back in to Russia is a good away around need to ship to Japan or Korea then over I think.

There are carnets you may need as well as visas lots of stuff to do before you jump in the car and head out.

Someplace you may want to look at Overland Journal | The Publication for Environmentally Responsible, Worldwide Vehicle-Supported Expedition and Adventure Travel
nice people there as well.

Some thing you want to look at before going on a trip this size and problems. A bit smaller trip like gust around the EU in to the south and east of Europe gust for a test. If it dose not work out easy to get back home. Safe easy fast little paper work. Then the Americas, No carnets and few visa problems. Bit harder than the EU but a new feel to place. Huge area few language problems just 3 big ones and you know one. Then there getting the car over the gap but it is done so you can do it as well.

[rclafton]

Read overlanders handbook by chris scott

see if you can get a copy of vehicle dependant expeditions by tom sheppard (see for sale section for details you may have to wait)

Vehicle will depend on what can you get and budgets

China will be an issue, only person I know who has been through was on a very expensive 'round the world in 80 days' type rally

Before preparing the car you need to make decisions on how you are living, ie. camping or local accomodation, cooking or local restaurants etc.

How much you got to spend on the car - remember that could up the carnet costs quite a bit. You could take a 1000 quid old pajaro and with a bit of prep would do the work, or an 80 series toyota which will cost alot more to buy.

Read up on carnets on this site.

Also look for pre-prepared vehicles for sale, often this is cheaper than buying a base vehicle and prepping it yourself and as the time will fly till next year may save you alot of work

[tacr2man]

Have a read of "overlandwithkids" (google it) they did where you are planning, finished about 9months back IIRC I am sure Anne will be glad to give you advice .HTSH

Strange world isnt it , have just seen Cassie2 post in overland vehicle for sale , on this forum !!!

[Cassie2]

Hi Tacr2man - just checking in. Hope you are well. I need to pick your brain if OK but will ask later - no rush just yet.

To 3 Brits and a Swissie - we have lots of information to share with you regarding your route and your vehicle arrangements especially if there are 4 of you.

If you are considering China for example then you will need Mongolia and China to be on your side (weather-wise) by the time you reach. But then it also depends on how long you are planning to be on the road and when you intend to get there. To get an idea of China costs, check out our site. For China transit, we had two vehicles, 3 children, 4 adults plus a guide to feed, provide a car seat to, pay site entry fees and lodgings for. Happy to answer any questions. Would be useful to know what your ideal route from UK to China is in your mind currently how long you are planning your trip for. Another site very much worth looking at is www.nessiesadventures.com (Dave and Rose have just arrived back to UK so they are also around to answer any questions you may have). They were and continue to be able to manage cheaper costs than us for example (and did China) - also provides a much wider view re: variety/route/experience.

All the best.

[Mervifwdc]

If you are really starting from scratch, defiantly get the Chris Scott book. each of you read it from cover to cover, ideally twice.

not trying to be smart, but you've asked the biggest questions there are, and also the ones with the biggest spread of opinions.

for example, do you plan to stay in hotels? Camp? cook or eat out? if you plan to eat out and stay in hotels, then a large mercedes saloon would be a good bet. if your camping, then you'll need a LOT of space for gear for 4 people so a larger vehicle will be needed.

Do you have licenses that will allow you to drive trucks? if so, then bigger trucks are an option (man, daf, unimog) which would let you live indoors.


we're on a long trip, and early in the planning process we read chris's book, and it was well worth the effort. best advice that we got.

Merv.

[3 Brits and a swissie]

Many thanks
Sage advice
Essentially
Read the book
Plan ahead
AND ask peoplevwho know
We really appreciate you all spending time to write

[Phil Flanagan]

What's your budget ?
how much do you think it costs per day to travel long term ? it varies greatly, everybody has different criteria for say where they are planning to sleep. a tent or a van is probably cheapest, then up a notch to say hostal, and then of course you may be the type who feels ensuite hot water is necessary which will often have to be a hotel.
on top of that of course there's food ? plan to eat out or buy locally and cook yourselves ?
and what about fun and games spending? do you want to see all the sights? go on all the experiences?
to give you a ballpark idea of day to day costs we have been on the road in a van self cooking, probably 75% free camping. We travelled across central asia to mongolia then shipped to states drove down through central america and then (currently) south america.
2 people, all costs including running the vehicle but excluding any shipping costs our average has been £800 per month. give or take say US$50 per day.

Get your self an idea of a realistic number then decide for how long you can travel. This equation can of course stretch depending on country choice.
As you've probably already gathered you need a lot of money to visit china in a vehicle for example.
carnet can be a costly piece of paper. essential in a lot of countries but so far we have not needed one and we left home in 2006. so again the carnet may be a criteria for deciding on your route and thus costs.

of course i haven't even mentioned the vehicle you may want ?????
again down to budget first.
We have met people who have spent less than £2k and the other end of spectrum is the people who spend £250k yes really, people do spend that and more, we have met many.
In all honesty I would say that the average spend is about £25k to £30k
People like the land rovers for their style and off road capability. The land cruisers are favoured for their renowned reliability.
Both these can be a squeeze long term for just two people, if you are thinking 4 then assume a very tight space. Remember it's not just the people you are carrying. Food, kit, clothing, books, camera gear, laptops, etc etc all take space.

Though we happen to use a 4x4 van i do not think 4x4 is essential. Consider it an optional extra. it's great to have the freedom and confidence when using a 4x4 but if your budget was tight then there are many many options if you don't see this as an essential criteria.
A good mercedes van could give you space, reliability, relatively cheap and throw a couple of sand mats on board, maybe a winch, you'll get out of most fixes you may get stuck in.

in my opinion a great 'starter' country is Turkey. Relatively easy to get to but far enough away from europe to feel 'the adventure'. Some great scenery to get and explore, easy to free camp, fascinating cultures, wonderful people.
I would strongly advise your route goes through here if possible.

our vehicle ? well we spent £4k on an ex military low kms 4x4 iveco van. It cost us another 3 to £4k for all the conversion and accessories we wanted.
so for less than £8k we have a comfortable vehicle that two of us have been in for literally years ! we've covered over 120k kms.

good luck with your adventure! it will be fantastic!

Phil.

www.philflanagan.com

[graysworld]

I second what Phil says. I can also recommend Turkey I spent 3 months or so there, it was fantastic, as Phil says free camping no problem, it is a massive country so loads to see and among the friendliest places I have been. 4WD is definitely not essential I did it in a Mercedes 608 with a shovel! A big merc would be cheap and roomy. Fuel will be your main cost if you don't use hotels and campings and cook yourself.

Good luck Graeme